The warm glow of lanterns had long faded. The festival was over, leaving the village in a peaceful calm. Morning mist clung to the cobblestones as Liora sipped her tea by the window of the inn room, watching Aria still curled beneath the blankets and Tessa slowly beginning to stir.
Liora exhaled softly.
"We've outgrown this little room…"
She'd been thinking about it since the festival. Their bond had deepened. Tessa wasn't just a party member anymore, and Aria… Aria had truly become her daughter in all the ways that mattered. It wasn't just about sleeping space or privacy. It was about stability. About making this place truly theirs.
"But can we afford a small two-bedroom place… nothing fancy. Just somewhere safe and quiet. With enough room for the three of us to be a family."
By the time Aria and Tessa were busy helping Marna clean up breakfast dishes, Liora made her way to the adventurer's guild.
The building buzzed with familiar chatter, adventurers exchanging stories, checking notices, and collecting pay. She nodded to the receptionist before stepping toward the quest board.
"I'll need something steady. Something I can do on my own when we're not questing as a team. Safe, short jobs… gathering, maybe delivery work."
She marked a few potential postings, simple herb runs, helping repair storage barns, and a minor escort to a neighboring village.
Then her eyes landed on a fresh listing, posted that morning:
Party Quest – Threat: Low
"Wolf Pack Disturbance – Farmland Outskirts"
Local farmers report increased wolf sightings near livestock fences. Eliminate the threat.
Reward: 12 silver per wolf confirmed, plus an 8-silver bonus from the village council upon completion.
Requirements: Minimum 2 adventurers. Moderate combat skill preferred.
Liora gave a slight smile.
"Just right for our first serious mission together. It'll challenge Tessa, but not overwhelm her."
She pulled the quest slip from the board and approached the receptionist.
"I'd like to take this one for myself and Tessa. And also register for a few safe side jobs I can handle solo in the afternoons."
The receptionist nodded, noting her requests. "I'll log your party name, Silver Hearth."
Liora returned just as Aria and Tessa were sweeping the hallways of the inn under the watchful eye of Marna.
Tessa looked up first. "Welcome back! Guild business?"
Liora smiled. "Something like that."
She crouched down to Aria's level and tapped her nose. "How would you feel about having a little house instead of just a room, hmm?"
Aria's eyes widened. "A real house?!"
"Maybe just a small one. Two rooms. Some space to breathe."
Aria bounced in place. "Can I have my own bed?"
"You bet."
Tessa grinned. "Looks like you've got a plan."
Liora nodded. "I also picked up a quest. Wolves on the outskirts. It's not too far, and the threat level is low, good one for us to take on together."
"I'm ready," Tessa said, standing straighter.
Liora reached out, squeezing her shoulder. "We head out tomorrow morning. Rest up tonight, we've got work to do."
That night, after Aria had been tucked in and Tessa rested on her bedroll, Liora stayed awake a little longer, staring out the window again.